You may have all seen in the media lately about the death of the late Carrie Fisher and the dangers involving undignosed sleep apnea. We at Lisburn Road Dental specialise in sleep analysis and the diagnosis and possible treatment of this condition.

Please read the article below and if you feel you have any of the symptoms contact please contact us on 02890382262.

Dr Greg Finnegan, Principal Dentist at Lisburn Road Dental Clinic, gives an overview on how the practice is helping patients who suffer from Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea…your dentist can help

You may have heard the term “sleep apnea” recently, from news stories in the press or online. It’s a dangerous condition, and one that cannot be taken lightly. What is Sleep Apnea? The Basics. Sleep apnea is a disorder known for causing pauses in breathing during sleep. The most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by an over relaxation of throat muscles that blocks proper airflow and causes brief moments where you stop breathing.

Why is Sleep Apnea Dangerous? These brief pauses in breathing force the brain to elevate the heart rate to maintain proper oxygen levels, which leads to several other changes in your body that contribute to poor breathing and increased carbon dioxide levels. This can lead to more serious, long–term issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Risk Factors and SymptomsAlthough sleep apnea can affect anyone, certain factors can increase the risk of developing this disorder:· WeightAgeMales are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than femalesSmall or unusually–shaped airways in the nose, throat or mouthFamily historyAlcohol or sedative use

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, waking up feeling tired, frequent night–time waking, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Oral Symptoms of Sleep ApneaIn addition to overall body symptoms, a person with sleep apnea can also have dental symptoms with the number one system being jaw pain.Jaw pain is the primary dental sign and is caused by temporomandibular joint disorders, more commonly known as TMJ or TMD. In the past, it was assumed that stress–related night–time teeth grinding most frequently caused TMJ pain, but more recent studies have shown that TMJ is often caused by sleep apnea. When the throat begins to relax before an apnea episode, the jaw’s natural response is to clamp down and try to prevent the tissue from blocking the airway. This puts excessive stress on the jaw, mouth, neck and shoulders, which causes the symptoms of TMJ.

Other dental signs of sleep apnea may include:· Cracked, broken or missing teeth· Excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching· Worn front teeth· Pain when chewing· Chronic headaches· Neck and shoulder pain

What You Can DoIf you notice any of the signs of sleep apnea, or if you experience TMJ–like symptoms, the first step you should take is to see your dentist who offers sleep disorder treatments. At Lisburn Road Dental Practice, you will have the opportunity to take part in a home sleep study and/or pulse oximeter reading, which monitors oxygen levels. To Read Carrie Fishers story please follow this link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-…